Toba Japan

Toba is a tourist town on the Ise Peninsula on the eastern coast of Western Honshu Island, Japan. It features an Aquarium and just offshore, Mikimoto Pearl Island. Here there is a Memorial Hall and Museum to Mikimoto Kokichi who created the original cultured pearl in 1893. Ama women divers in their traditional white suits, can be seen collecting seaweed and sea urchins.

From Toba you can also explore the Shima-hanto Peninsula. Visit Meoto-iwa (wedded rocks) - two rocks off the coastline near Futamiguara that are joined in matrimony by sacred ropes. Continue to one of Japan's most venerated Shinto shrines, Ise-Jingu. In keeping with Shinto custom, Ise-Jingu's nearly 200 buildings are replaced every 20 years with precise replicas built without the use of metal; only wooden dowels and interlocking joints. The present buildings were reconstructed for the 61st time in 1993.

Toba also has a number of islands nearby which are accessible by ferry. The two larger islands are Toshijima and Sugashima. Kamishima is a smaller, more remote island.

Things to See & Do

* Mikimoto Pearl Island - museum
* Toba Aquarium
* Kata-jinja shrine
* Toshijima and Sugashima islands
* Ise-Jingu shrine

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 30,000 approx
Land Area – 107.88 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Travel Links – Toba is accessible by plane to Chubu airport, from where Ise-Bay Ferry operates.

Toba Station is the final station of the Kintetsu Toba and Shima Lines as well as the JR Sangu Line. Most travelers connect at Ise or Shima. 2 hours by limited express kintetsu train from Osaka, 1 hour 35 minutes by limited express Kintetsu train or 1 hour 50 minutes by JR Central's Rapid Service Mie from Nagoya.